Maryalice Jordan-Marsh, an associate professor at the USC School of Social Work, has received the American Journal of Nursing’s Book of the Year Award for Health Technology Literacy: A Transdisciplinary Framework for Consumer-Oriented Practice.

The award honors excellence in book publishing in the nursing field. Jordan-Marsh received her award in the category of information technology, which recognizes a book that explores nursing’s role and the use of electronic media, computer systems, social media or online media.

Health Technology Literacy details a patient-centered health care model with consumers, i.e., the public, informing and supporting their own health care decisions through technology, such as the Internet, social networking, smart phones and video games. Jordan-Marsh helps consumers and health care professionals navigate these options by translating theory and health-related data into practical knowledge so that it becomes relevant in making important life decisions.

“The patient is as important as any other member of the health care team,” she said.

One of her current projects involves bringing health care to consumers through video games. Jordan-Marsh has been working with researchers at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and the Keck School of Medicine at USC to develop Wellness Partners, a game that mines the power of social networks to encourage people to increase their physical activity. She is also working on the creation of another game that will help the wheelchair-bound with exercises.

Jordan-Marsh’s research background in health, aging and nursing informed the writing of her book, which was designed to be applicable to different disciplines.

“My goal was to bring socio-ecological theory applications to the emerging field of health technology, where all of the disciplines need to ‘play well together,’” she said. “The award brings attention to a new way of looking at health technology. Having this award from my nursing colleagues is very affirming that I have kept a transdisciplinary focus in my scholarship.”